Man in the Woods

A Novel

About the Book

“A smart, haunting thriller with bass reverb and a pounding heart.”—Jayne Anne Phillips, author of the National Book Award finalist Lark and Termite

Scott Spencer, the acclaimed author of Endless Love and A Ship Made of Paper, reaffirms his storytelling mastery with Man in the Woods—a gripping psychological thriller about a carpenter at loose ends and the crime of passion that radically reorders his world. Rudy Wurlitzer lauds Man in the Woods as a stunning work that offers “heartbreaking insights into the dark frailties of human nature,” and which he calls, “a page turner from beginning to end.” And New York Times bestselling author Francine Prose hails its achievement, writing, “In this brilliant novel, Scott Spencer further expands his range.”

Book Description

A man, a woman, a child, and an unforgettable dog combine forces in this gripping and surprising psychological thriller, the most stunning novel yet from Scott Spencer—named one of Publishers Weekly’s Top Ten Books of 2010.

Can we ever get away with murder? Are there secrets that cannot remain hidden no matter how deeply we try to bury them? And do the things we hide control our destinies even more than the things we choose to reveal?

Paul Phillips has been on his own since he was a teenager, leading a life of freedom and independence, beholden to no one and nothing. Once he thought his life would have no particular rhyme or reason, touched only by transient strangers. Then he met the beautiful, intelligent, loving Kate Ellis, who offered order and constancy. But Paul is a man of deep convictions, and the compromises we all make to get along in the world elude him.

On his way home after a particularly trying day, Paul discovers a man beating a dog, and in a few fateful moments is plunged into a world of violence and onto a tumultuous journey of self-knowledge, guilt, and redemption.

Critical Praise

“Spencer, a deft explorer of obsessive love and violence, confronts the consequences of doing wrong for all the right reasons in his exquisite latest.” —

“[A] compelling setup and stunning conclusion...The depth of the characters, the questions they ask and the challenge they confront stay with the reader long after the conclusion.” —

“Spencer, a master of piercing insight and letter-perfect prose, tantalizes to the last climactic sentence of this compelling exploration of the wages of guilt.” —

“This is a book poised to take its place as an American classic.” —

“Spencer has shown a powerful understanding of the price of passion. In this one, he explores the even more treacherous terrain of guilt, expiation, and longed-for salvation...” —

“[Spencer] writes love stories with such beauty that you want to savor every surprising phrase, but his intense, intriguing plots propel you to race along the pages. He does it again in his new book, a complex novel... fresh, and compelling.” —

“This beautifully written novel is so much more than just a good read.” —

“The novel is at its most compelling as it traces the evolution of Paul’s inner turmoil... the precision of Spencer’s eye for vibrant similes remains a pleasure throughout...” —

“MAN IN THE WOODS reveals the talent and confidence of a master story teller at the top of his game....Scott Spencer holds the reader to his terrifying account every step of the way. A page turner from beginning to end.” —

“A smart, haunting thriller with bass reverb and a pounding heart....Spencer transforms an eight thousand dollar gambling debt and a dog with two names into an enthralling literary ride....Spencer is an American master.” —

“In this brilliant novel, Scott Spencer further expands his range to embrace our relations with animalswith the loyal pets that consent to share our domestic lives, and with the darker, more alarming beasts that lurk within even the most compassionate and conscious human beings.” —

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